The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-08-05
CHAPTER xxx.


Dorothy, In her note to Ernest that he re-
ceived by the mail previous to the one that
brought the letters which at a single blow
laid the hope and promise Of his life in the
dust, had, it may be remembered, stated her
intention of going to see Eva in order 10
plead Ernests cause; but, what with one
thing and another, her visit was consider
ably delayed. Twice she was on the point OF
going, and twice something occurred to pre-
vent her. The fact of the matter was, the
errand was distasteful, and she was In no
hurry to execute it, She loved Ernest her-
self, and, however deep that love might be
trampled down, however fast 1t might DO
chained in the dungeons of her secret
thoughts, it was still there, living thing, an
immortal thing. She could tread 1t down
and chain it; she could not kill it, Its shade
would rise and walk in the upper chambers OF
her heart, and wiring its hands and cry to her,
telling what it suffered in those subterranean
places, whispering how bitterly it envied the
bright and happy life which moved IN the
free air and had usurped the love it claimed.
1t was hard to ignore those pleadings, to dis
regard those cries for pity, and to say there
was no hopo, that it must always be chalheu,
till time ate away the chains 1t was harder
still to have to be one of the actual ministers
to the suffering Still she meant to 60 her
daty TO Ernest was not to be forsaken because
it was painful duty.
On two or three occasions she met Eva, buo
got no opportunity of speaking to her Elther
her sister Florence was with her or she was
Obliged to return Immediately. The fact was
that, after the scene described In the last
chapter, Eva was subjected 10 the closest
espionage. At home Florence watched her
MS a cat watches mouse; abroad Mr.. FIow-
don seemed to be constantly lowering ON her
flank, or, il he was not thcro, then she be-
came aware of the presence OF the ancient
and contemplative mariner who TRACED III
Dutch cheeses. Mr.. Plowden feared lest she
should run away, and so cheat INN H ms
prize; Florence, lest she should cohhde III
| Dorothy, or possibly Mr. Cardus, ana sup
ported by them lind the courage to assert
| herself and defraud her of her revenge 80
they watched her every movement.
At last Dorothy made up her mind TO wait
no longer for opportunities, but to go and
SEQ Eva at her home She knew nothing OF
the Plowden imbroglo but it did strike her
MS curious that no one had said anything
about Ernest. He had written-it was
scarcely likely the letter had miscarried.
| How WINS IL that Eva had not said anything
| ON the subject Little did Dorothy guess
that, even as these thoughts were passing
through her mind great vessel was steam
ing out of Southampton docks, bearing those
epistles of final renunciation which Ernest
very little to his satisfaction, received in due
course
Full of these reflections, Dorothy found
herself one lovely spring afternoon knocking
at the door OF the Cottage Eva was a
home, and she was at once ushered into hel
presence. She was sitting ON low chair
the same on which Ernest always pieture'
her with that confounded Skye terrier sh'
was so fond OF ltssing-an open book upoi
her knee, and looking out at the little gardel
and the sea beyond She looked pale am
thin, Dorothy thought,
On her visitors entrance, Eva rose an
kissed her.
II am SO glad 20 soc you, she said, VI wa
feeling so lonely
"Lonely,n answered Dorothy, In he
straightforward way; "why, nave bee
irving 10 find you alone for the last fort
night, and have never succeeded"
Eva colored "One may be lonely wit
ever so many people round one."